A table was covered in piles of brightly colored yarn to pick from. Weavers scanned the yarn, some picking out neon colors. Some of them picked out mustard yellow, while others went for turquoise.
Supplies in hand, people in seats, Dominguez kicked off the class.
“So when we gather today, this is called community self-care, and we’re helping each other take care of each other,” Dominguez told the class.
— excerpt from the article “With a view of the Columbia River, a basket weaving class helps heal” by Courtney Flatt for Northwest Public Broadcasting
A Wa’paas Workshop With Community Self-Care
Courtney Flatt, writing for Northwest Public Broadcasting, attended the November 2024 wa’paas basketweaving workshop at Maryhill Museum of Art. Flatt spoke with facilitator Chestina Dominguez, an enrolled Yakama Nation member and a descendant of the Warm Springs Tribe, about her journey to lead these workshops. She also interviewed various workshop attendees who came from near and far to weave, learn, and connect with others.
Art, History, and Healing
Dominguez’s maternal grandmother, her kuthla, taught her to weave. Dominguez returned to her kuthla’s traditional teachings in adulthood during a journey of healing. Other participants shared similar stories of what the workshop’s teachings and handwork meant to them.
Attend An Upcoming Wa’paas Workshop
We look forward to resuming wa’paas workshops at Maryhill Museum of At with Chestina Dominguez in Spring 2025. Check our calendar for upcoming dates >>
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